Sunday, May 19, 2013

Latest news, weather and high school sports for Albany and Southwest Georgia

Applejax on probation for six months
Posted: 04.19.2011 at 11:15 AM
0
Several incidents have happened around AppleJax, most recently a double murder on March 3, 2011
Slideshow
Photo:
ALBANY, GA --

After listening to testimonies for over two hours, the city commission voted against revoking the liquor license for 1303 East Broad, otherwise known as AppleJax Sports Bar and Lounge--and instead voted 4-2 for a probation period of six months.

The city commission listened carefully to testimonies Tuesday from police detectives, former security guards, employees and managers of AppleJax Sports Bar and Lounge. Each stating their own thoughts on the double murder that happened March 3, 2011.

It's believed that two men who had left the bar spotted a passerby outside and attempted to rob him. The victim stabbed the two in self defense, killing both. Commissioner Chris Pike feels it would be wrong to punish the owner of the bar by revoking the liquor license.

“The individual who actually committed the murder was from self defense, the two guys tried to rob him, that could have happened anywhere in the city,” said Pike.

Former security guards testified that often only two of them would be left to handle 150-plus patrons inside-and that while there were cameras set up in and around the bar, not one caught the actual stabbing outside.

Security was the crux of today's hearing—City Attorney Nathan Davis arguing that there just wasn't enough here at the AppleJax sports Bar and Lounge to prevent certain incidents like the march 3rd murder.

“Had there been adequate security, they could have maybe told this gentleman 'no sir, we don't allow people to cut through this parking lot', or whatever,” said Davis.

Now the bar is on probation and is required to hire two more guards-- to patrol the parking lot and surveillance cameras. Commissioner Dorothy Hubbard thought the amendment was a good compromise.

“I think sometimes you have to be understanding and you have to be amenable to compromise and that's what I was trying to do,” said Hubbard.

The owner, Munmun Patel, and her attorney, Maurice King both declined to talk to us on camera, but said they were satisfied with the outcome.

Popular Stories
Thumbnail
Senior graduates after overcoming many obstacles
Courtney Highfield  |  Yesterday at 4:07 PM
Thumbnail
ASU police officer set to deploy in June
Colby Gallagher  |  Yesterday at 9:00 PM  |  2 comments
Follow My Southwest GA
Get news and weather notifications on your phone by downloading the iPhone or Android app below
Sign up to get alerts and updates for breaking news, severe weather, and deals:
submit
ADVERTISEMENT
Special Features
Win a booster seat!
Click above for your chance to win a booster seat and get safety tips for your child!
Bright Side
Spreading the good news around Southwest Georgia!
Legal
Finding the right lawyer to handle your needs is important.
ADVERTISEMENT